Tough Days :(
Some days are definitely a lot harder than others. Today is supposed to be my Grandfather’s 77th birthday. However, today, instead of eating birthday cake with him for his birthday, we are all silently wishing him a happy birthday and hoping that he is doing well up there. I thought today was a great day to reflect on how amazing of a man he was.
In 2010, my Grandfather was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which is a disease that causes the protective covering of your nerves to deteriorate which unfortunately slowly removes the person’s ability to walk. He first started out with a cane, which led to a walker, to a scooter, to a wheelchair, and then he became bedridden. His case of this disease got extremely bad pretty quickly. He was in and out of the hospital many times. In 2016, he passed away, as his body could not handle the way that the disease was attacking it any longer.
My Grandfather, however, is one of my biggest role models. Throughout his entire life, he has done so many things that proved how much of a strong and caring person that he was. My Grandfather served in the front lines in the Vietnam War, he survived 2 heart attacks, but most of all he was a loving father, husband, and grandfather to our family. He always showed us how much he truly loved us. When he was very sick and was bedridden in his home, whenever my family went to visit him, I would sit along his bedside and we would just talk or watch his favorite show, Wicked Tuna. Nothing beat that and nothing will beat that.
My Grandfather always loved being our number one fan. When my Grandfather started to lose his ability to walk, he would always ride around on his scooter, taking pictures at our games, events, or matches. He was always there. However, in 2014, he became bedridden and had a lot of trouble coming to our sporting events. But he was determined to make it to another game. In 2015, I was at my basketball game and all of a sudden, I turned around and saw my grandfather there with my grandmother. I was shocked. Little did I know that they had bought a van so he could travel and bought a wheelchair that he could sit in. I will never forget that game. As unfortunately, it would be the last game that he could attend.
Although days like today are sad, it makes you remember all of the good memories that you have created with your loved ones. It makes you smile as you think of the little things. Even though he isn’t physically with us on his birthday, I know that he is looking down on us and has a huge smile on his face.
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| My Grandfather, Grandmother, and I at his last game |
I understand what a devastating tole MS can take on someone. My great-grandmother was diagnosed at the age of 39, leaving my grandmother to take care of her siblings while my great-grandmother got treatment after treatment. I never met her but the stories I hear about her illness from my family who loved her breaks my heart. Recently, one of my cousins, who is quite a bit older than me, was diagnosed. It is a really hard thing for a family to go through and is particularly scary.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your grandfather got to watch you play and that you have such wonderful memories. I am sure he is watching over you (particularly at basketball games) and is very proud.
Kelly, I am so sorry for your loss, but I know he is sending you nothing but love and pride! I lost a grandfather too a few years ago and almost lost my other one a few days ago. I was able to see the physical pain that my grandfather's death caused my Nana, and I am so sorry that you went through/are going through the same thing. Experiencing the loss of a loved one has helped me truly cherish the time I have, and I am sure it has had the same impact on you. I know he is smiling back down at you every day!!
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